Banjo



, A. 0'. FAIRBANKS.

BANJO.

P atented Mar. 29, 1887? (No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT O. FAIRBANKS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

BANJO.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 360,005, dated March 29, 1887.

Application tiled April 6, 1883. Serial X0. 90,859. (No model.)

. banjo with mechanical devices and mode of construction whereby the musical tone is increased and the volume of sound is rendered melodious, and the resonance is more mellifluous than those heretofore constructed; and it consists in the construction, combination, and arrangement of the several parts of the banjo, as hereinafter more fully described, and set forth in the claims.

Figure 1 represents a sectional elevation of a portion of a banjo embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a perspective view showing different portions of the same. Fig. 3 represents a sectional elevation showing other portions. Fig. 4 represents an elevation showing other portions connected with the banjo hoop and rim. Fig. 5 represents a plan of a straining-hook detached. Fig. 6 represents a perspective view of a straining-bracket detached.

.Airepresents the hoop of a banjo, formed of bent wood. The head edge, on the peripheral or outer corner, has formed therein a rectangular or other shaped groove, B, leaving the inward orinterior portion, 0, projecting slightly beyond the said outwardportion, A, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and within this channel or groove so formed is fitted the tube D, the outer face of which is in the same plane as the periphery of the said hoop, and projects beyond the edge of the said interior or inward portion, 0, and is provided in its projecting portion with a series of openings or holes, E, so as to permit a free ingress and egress of air within and from the interior of said tube D, so as to produce bell-like or ringing musical sound vibrations or waves from'the vibrations of the parchment b, resting upon the said tube when stretched thereon by means of the'grooved metal straining-hoop H, through the action of the straining-hooks F and I, connected together by the right and left hand screw-threaded straining-nuts J, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Now, in order that the said straining-hook F may have a firmer hearing at its hook end K within the groove, and upon the contacting edge surface of the said metal hoop H, said hook end K is flattened and expanded, and is increased in width of bearing-surface therewith, so as to prevent its canting or slewing about upon the edge of the said hoop H, and thereby render it necessary to adjust the positions of said hook ends therewith, in order that the said straininghooks may stand at right angles with and across said hoop H and wood hoop-rim A, as shown. This construction renders the said hooks more ornamental without materially increasing the cost, as the wire of suitable size to form the screw-threaded portion is quickly struck up with suitable dies to give it the oval face and desired finished appearance and bearing-sun face upon the edge of the said metal straining hoop H. The said grooved hoop H is provided on its interior bottom edge with a suitable groove, within which the strainingwvire a is applied within thefold around the edge ofthe parchment head I), as heretofore. Now, in order to secure and attach to the said wood hooprim A the straining-brackets S in a cheap, simple, and expeditious manner, I provide the said wood hoop A with a peripheral groove, M, near its lower edge, and then spin or force thereon a metal hoop, N, which is turned inwardly over the lower edge of said hoop A, and provided at intervals with holes or open ings P, adapted to receive therein the hook R, provided upon the rear face of the bracket S, the opposite side or outer face of which has formed thereon a projection, T, provided with a groove, 0, and a hole, e, within which is fitted the hook end portion of the opposite straininghook, I, formed of suitable wire and provided with a screw-threaded portion adapted to the thread formed in the said straining-nut J. The said hook R of the said bracket S is received within the said peripheral groove M, formed in the said wood hoop-rim A. (Shown in the several figures of the drawings.) The banjo stock or handle U is connected with the said hoop-rim A in a very permanent manner by applying to the dowel or extension V, which passes through the said wood hoop or rim A, a metal bracket, W', which fits within a recess formed within the said extension V, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, its projecting end portion being provided with a screw-threaded hole, within which is fitted a set-screw, Y, the screwthreaded end of which has a bearing against a metal washer or plate, Z, which contacts with the inner face of the said wood hoop-rim A, so that when said screw-bolt or set-screw Y is turned in the right direction the shoulder of the stock or handle U is brought to bear ve'ry firmly against the outer face of the said wood hoop-rim A, so as to render the connection very rigid, and permit of being disconnected when desired, and tightened therewith, in case structed of wood and having a peripheral groove, of the perforated metallic resonant ring, a membrane or head, and means to stretch the membrane over said ring, substantially as described.

2. The bracket S, having the hook R and projection T, provided with the groove 0 and hole or cavity 0, adapted to receive and retain the straining-hook I in position therewith, as set forth.

3. The combination, with the hoop or rim A and stock U, having the square extension V passing through said rim, of the bracket \V, secured to the said extension and provided with a set-screw, Y, as described.

ALBERT O. FAIRB ANKS.

Witnesses: v

SYLVENUS \VALKER, CHAS. S. GOODING. 

